Abstract-

Green leafy vegetables have excellent content of vitamins as well as minerals and also contain an enormous variety of bioactive components which provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the proximate composition by standard AOAC method, antioxidant properties and DPPH free radicals scavenging activity of aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea and Spinacea oleracea. The study revealed that crude fiber, protein, iron and calciumcontent in Brassica oleracea was significantly increased by 41%, 41.6%, 8.7% and 37.23% respectively, when compared to Spinacea oleracea at p≤0.05 level. In aqueous extract of S.oleracea recorded the higher content of total phenols and total flavonoids i.e 41.2±0.18 mg GAE/g and 20.40±1.23 mg QE/g respectively as compared with B.oleracea . Although both leaves extract showed good amount of antioxidant components whereas free radical scavenging activity was higher B.oleracea leaves (IC 50 -26 µg/ml) while S.oleracea had (IC 50 -48µg/ml) when compared to standard ascorbic acid. The study may conclude that Brassica oleracea leaves are as good as Spinacea oleracia leaves which could be incorporated in food formulation as therapeutic agent apart from its nutritional essence which could be explored to provide affordable remedy to masses.

Legumes play an important role in the mostly vegetarian diet of the Indian population and are consumed regularly in every household at least in one meal (Gujral et al., 2013). India is the largest consumer and importer of pulses in the world. They contain good amount of carbohydrates, proteins, fibres and bioactive compounds such as phenols, flavonoids phytosterols, lignans and many other components.These components are associated with lowering the risk of metabolic disorders i.e. type II diabetes, cardiovascular, cancer and many other diseases (Pudnez, et al., 2014). They are also supposed to possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and anticarcinogenic activities due to high

The global burden of non-communicable diseases has been rising over the last century, with the leading cause of neurological, metabolic and degenerative disorders. The several studies have reported that the incorporation of prebiotics in human diet is favourable to eliminate the pathological ailments. Since prebiotics occur naturally in plants including leeks, asparagus, onion, wheat, garlic, chicory, oats, soybean and Jerusalem artichoke. Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial tuber contains proteins, mono or poly-unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and excellent amount of soluble dietary fibers such as inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides with negligible amount of starch which is digested with Bifidobacterium. It is associated with expansion of bioavailability of minerals, increase activity of favourable bacteria, ease the digestion of high protein diets, delay fat absorption, deliver roughage, prevent constipation, increase satiety value which results in various therapeutic properties such as antidiabetic, cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological properties. It is also used as a functional food ingredient in the design and production of child formulation, chocolates, sugar confectionaries, soups, sauces, meat products, bakery products, nutritional bars, beverages, milk products, dietary supplements and many other food products. Therefore, its remarkable therapeutic effects and various food applications make this tuber very valuable for further investigation in the area of pharmaceutical and food industries.

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